ALPHA MALE: How to Dress for Summer Semi-Formal Events

It's summer, so let's enjoy the creativity of semi-formal events, from fundraisers to weddings.

With the arrival of summer, it's high season for all kind of events, from fundraisers at the Newport Mansions to weddings all over the state. It is not uncommon for one of our clients to call us prior to an event with questions surrounding a dress code. In fact, several of our bachelor clients call us quite regularly seeking appropriate dress for an event. So let's remove the confusion surrounding semi-formal attire, and make sure that your choice of clothing hits the target the next time you are attending an event.

In the past, strict lines were drawn between different dress codes. Formal dress meant a tuxedo and semi-formal apparel meant dressier than everyday business attire. Today, lines are blurred. Business attire can mean a three piece suit or jeans with a button down shirt. A general rule of thumb for semi-formal dress is to dress up a notch from the office while leaving your tux at home. If you want to play it safe, it is hard to go wrong with a dark suit and a tie, no matter what time of year.

If you want to approach semi-formal with an eye to style, you need to first consider the nature of the event. While semi-formal typically means a dark suit, a tie, and a muted button down shirt, a day-time event will permit different looks. For example, day-time wedding attire permits a lighter suit and more colorful tie, as a dark suit may come across as overly formal. Even at daytime events, avoid novelty ties. And let's be clear: a South Park tie or New England Patriots suspenders are never cool.

Finally, one really great addition to semi-formal is to use the white dinner jacket in not so formal way. Meaning, wear it with a great pair of platinum gray trousers, a simple white dress shirt and a tonal bow tie. This gives a very sophisticated look without keeping the traditional usage of the dinner jacket and allows you to have fun.

Marc Streisand is president and owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, and takes the custom clothing business very personally. Having enjoyed a successful career in the clothing industry since 1985, Marc brings his clients extensive specialized experience in menswear. Prior to taking over the Marc Allen store in March 2005, he cultivated his knowledge of luxury male attire in New York and his home state of New Jersey, where he began his vocation at Wallach's Specialty Stores. Nothing gives him greater pleasure, he says, than seeing raw cloth transformed into a custom outfit that can directly impact his customer's lifestyle.